Treasure Trove

How to keep your watch and jewellery collections sparkling and safe

A collection of fine watches and jewellery is not just a trove of exquisite creations to add glamour and sparkle to an outfit; the pieces in it can be mementos from important milestones or heirlooms in the making. We’ve gathered expert advice on safe storage to ensure that your collections are kept in the best possible condition for generations to come.

DIFFERENTIATE YOUR DIAMONDS

As diamonds are incredibly hard, storing them in the same compartment as your other jewellery pieces can cause damage to those other items, whether they are metallic or otherwise. In fact, even other diamonds are at risk. “As far as possible, you should make sure that your diamond-set pieces do not touch each other, as one item may damage another inadvertently,” advises Jonathan J Abram, director at Ronald Abram.

PERFECT PACKAGES

It is best to store each watch and piece of fine jewellery separately in soft pouches. “We recommend that clients store jewellery pieces in the original boxes they came in, as those are made with the proper protective materials,” says Arnaud Bastien, president and chief executive of Graff Diamonds Asia. If you prefer to store all your pieces in just one box, take stock of your collection first. “If you have over say, 20 pieces, I suggest grouping them in categories. This will make it easier to retrieve them,” says Abram. “In terms of materials, you should look for cases with soft, protective fabrics, as jewellery can be delicate.” In addition, these boxes should be wiped with a soft cloth regularly to remove dust.

SAFE KEEPING

“The best place to keep your jewellery is in a safe. If you don’t have one, we suggest using a bank’s safe deposit box,” says Abram. Make sure that the safe is hidden from sight and away from the common areas of your home. Before opening your safe, draw the curtains—privacy is paramount. The safe should obviously be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.

MATERIAL MATTERS

Pearls are organic material and need a tiny amount of moisture, so storing them in an airtight bag or box will diminish their lustre. After wearing them, wipe them

“We recommend that clients store jewellery pieces in their original boxes... as those are made with proper protective materials.” — ARNAUD BASTIEN

down with a damp cloth to remove traces of dust, perfume and other chemicals that can damage them. WATCH OUT Watch straps will contain remnants of dirt and sweat after a day’s wear, so get into the habit of cleaning them with a microfibre cloth after each use. This applies to metal bracelets, as well as straps in other materials. As movement lubricants can coagulate over time and affect a timepiece’s precision, it’s important that watches are wound up occasionally if they are not worn for long periods. For those with automatic movements, this is easily done using a watch winder. Hand-wound variants will demand some discipline and consistency though. Do this every few weeks.